Chickens With Allergies?

[Chicken Chaser]

Howdy,

Some of my chickens have been sneezing quite a lot lately . Could it
be allergies? If so how would I treat it?

~Chicken Chaser

 

[Philcott]

What do you use for bedding in your coops? It could be caused by dust, or they just might have got a fit of the sniffles with this funny weather. Try giving them garlic in their water if you think the latter.

 

[chrismahon]

I agree with Philcott -sounds like dust to me, probably the bedding. We did have a hen that seemed to be suffering from hayfever once. She only got sneezes when the pollen count was high!

 

[Chicken Chaser]

Howdy,

My coop has a wire floor, but it does have a pen.
The pen is made of dirt and straw.

~Chicken Chaser

 

[chrismahon]

Sounds like it could be fungal spores in wet straw. To be avoided as can result in respiratory infection. I would get rid of the straw to start with and see how they go.

 

[foxy]

It may not be a reaction C.C, but an indication of an upper respiratory infection in your flock. Additionally, as has been suggested it could also be as a result of damp and dust.
Damp, dusty conditions will exacerbate a respiratory infection, not inferring however, anything is remiss with your husbandry of course!

 

[Chicken Chaser]

Howdy,

I don't think the straw is damp, so it's probably
dust. If it is dust what should I do about it? :?

~Chicken Chaser

 

[Philcott]

It's difficult to tell when straw is damp, as it absorbs moisture but still looks dry. You don't say where you live, but if in any other country than the UK which is damp at the best of times, perhaps you should be misting your very dry pens with water to settle the dust?